As the top-ranked North American goaltender in this year’s draft, Thomas McCollum has garnered attention for being a potential franchise backstopper. At yesterday’s media luncheon featuring some of the top prospects, the soft-spoken ‘tender shared a few thoughts on the draft and his future.

On dealing with the attention that the draft brings: “I think I’ve been dealing with it alright. I’ve played with Drew (Doughty) and Ryan (Parent), and they garnered a lot of the attention (back in Guelph). I learned from them just to take it as it comes – to be myself and not change for anyone.”

On the negative aspects of the draft: “The only thing I really want to see end is being anxious. I really wish I knew where I was going, but it’s a long process and a lot of guys have had to go through this before me. I’m just trying to take it all in and enjoy being here.”

On beginning a new “job” with the NHL: “It’s extremely exciting – I’m going to have the opportunity to play the game I love every day. You can’t ask for anything more than that – you get paid to do something you enjoy. It’s not work at all. I’d much rather be (playing in the NHL) than working a 9-to-5 job.”

On being a goaltending prospect in a draft that is so heavily concentrated on defencemen: “I think it makes me feel (a lot more) special. Obviously being the only goaltender (at the prospects’ luncheon) is a great honour – it shows that I’ve done well for myself. At the same time, I know a lot of the defencemen are going to get the attention, which is fine by me. I’m perfectly happy to stay out of the spotlight and take care of my own business.”